U.S. patent number 4,307,768 [Application Number 06/215,710] was granted by the patent office on 1981-12-29 for energy conserving insulative window shade.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Anmar Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to John J. Anderson.
United States Patent |
4,307,768 |
Anderson |
December 29, 1981 |
Energy conserving insulative window shade
Abstract
Window shade structure for reducing heat loss or heat gain
through a window or other "thermal opening" wherein the shade body
is drawable over the window and is collapsible into a reduced
storage volume. The shade body comprises opposed walls of thin,
sheet-like layers of flexible and resilient material joined
together along spaced parallel adhesion lines to form a plurality
of contiguous and parallel channels in the shade body. A strip-like
sealing slat on the surfaces of the window frame which oppose the
edge portions of the shade body, and a slot-like recess formed in
the opposite edges of the shade body and extending the full length
thereof receive the edge portions and portions of the lateral
surfaces of the sealing slat, with the free edges of the sheet-like
layers being flexed against the lateral surfaces of the sealing
slat to insure against convective air flow and provide an effective
convective seal.
Inventors: |
Anderson; John J. (Ramsey,
NJ) |
Assignee: |
Anmar Industries, Inc.
(Hackensack, NJ)
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Family
ID: |
26910307 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/215,710 |
Filed: |
December 12, 1980 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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879356 |
Feb 21, 1978 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
160/84.06; 160/5;
160/84.05; 428/116; 428/117; D6/575 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B
9/262 (20130101); E06B 2009/17069 (20130101); E06B
2009/2452 (20130101); Y10T 428/24149 (20150115); E06B
2009/2627 (20130101); Y10T 428/24157 (20150115); E06B
2009/2458 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E06B
9/26 (20060101); E06B 9/262 (20060101); E06B
9/24 (20060101); A47H 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;160/84R,168,172,238,266,269,271,273,5
;24/122.3,122.6,129D,143R,143A ;428/73,116,117,118 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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6508988 |
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Jan 1967 |
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NL |
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11493 of |
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1906 |
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GB |
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756270 |
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Sep 1956 |
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GB |
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Primary Examiner: Kannan; Philip C.
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.
879,356, filed Feb. 21, 1978.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A drawable shade structure for reducing heat flow through a
window or other thermal opening, comprising:
a shade body drawable over the window and collapsible into a
reduced storage volume relative to its extended volume, the shade
body comprising opposite walls of thin, sheet-like layers of
flexible and resilient material joined together along spaced
parallel adhesion lines, the lines being disposed between adjacent
layers of material on opposite sides thereof to thereby form a
plurality of contiguous and parallel channels disposed regularly
throughout the shade body; and
strip-like sealing slats disposed on surfaces of the framing
portions of the window which oppose edge portions of the shade body
for sealing the edge portions of the shade body against the framing
portions of the window to reduce convective air flow, the two
opposite edge portions of the shade body each having a slot-like
recess formed therein which extends essentially the full length of
the edge portions, the recesses respectively receiving the edge
portions and portions of lateral surfaces of the sealing slats
thereinto, with free edges of the sheet-like layers which border
and define the recesses being flexed against and contacting the
lateral surfaces of the sealing slats when the shade body is
extended to cover the window, and the contact between the free
edges of the layers and the lateral surfaces of the slats forming
an effective convective seal.
2. The shade structure of claim 1 wherein the said free edges of
the sheet-like layers which contact the lateral surfaces of the
sealing slats are sufficiently flexed so that portions of the said
free edges lie flat against said lateral surfaces.
3. The shade structure of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axes of
the channels are disposed in parallel relation to the plane in
which the window is essentially disposed.
4. The shade structure of claim 1 wherein the channels are
horizontally disposed within the shade body, the shade body having
a vertical direction of motion on collapse and extension.
5. The shade structure of claim 1 and further comprising bottom
sealing means to seal the edge portion of the shade body against
the framing portions of the window about the bottom horizontal edge
of said shade body to entrap an air space between the shade body
and the window.
6. The shade structure of claim 5 wherein the bottom sealing means
comprises a strip of a fibrous material disposed between the bottom
edge portion of the shade body and the framing portion of the
window to seal therebetween.
7. The shade structure of claim 1 and further comprising:
means for sensing a given condition and for producing a signal
indicative of the existence of the condition; and,
means responsive to the signal for adjusting the position of the
shade body relative to the window.
8. The shade structure of claim 1 wherein the ends of the
sheet-like material forming the side edges of the shade body have
contiguous contact with opposed surfaces of the framing portions of
the window when the shade body is extended to a position covering
the window.
9. The shade structure of claim 1 wherein the sealing slats form
seals disposed along side edge surfaces of the shade at locations
based further from that surface of the shade body facing the window
than from the opposite surface of said shade body which faces an
interior environmental space.
10. The shade structure of claim 1 wherein the recesses in the
shade body are disposed at locations nearer the surface of the
shade body which faces an interior environmental space, the slats
and the recesses thus cooperating to facilitate formation of seals
nearer to said interior environmental space than to the window.
11. The shade structure of claim 1 and further comprising a
framework within which the shade body is mounted and moves and
against which the sealing means seal the shade body, the framework
and associated shade body mounted for movement therein being
disposable in a unitary fashion within a window well to insulate
the window opening.
12. The shade structure of claim 1 and further comprising a
framework within which the shade body is mounted and moves and
against which the sealing means seal the shade body, the framework
and associated shade body mounted for movement therein being
disposable in a unitary fashion within a window well to insulate
the window opening, the sealing slats extending from interior side
surfaces of the framework toward and into the recesses to
facilitate formation of a seal and being formed integrally with
portions of the framework facing the edge portions of the shade
body.
13. The shade structure of claim 1 and further comprising at least
one pull cord which extends through the shade body and connects to
the edge of the shade body which is displaced axially of the shade
body on movement of the shade body, the pull cord also serving to
guide the shade body.
14. The shade body of claim 1 and further comprising stationary
guide members extending through apertures in the shade body and
mounted to framing structure on opposite ends of the shade body
along the direction of travel of the shade body, the shade body
being maintained in a desired path along the guide members.
15. The shade structure of claim 1 and further comprising a draw
bar attached to the lower end of the shade body, the draw bar
contacting the lower horizontal surfaces of the framing portions of
the window when the shade body is fully extended, contact between
the draw bar and said horizontal surfaces acting to facilitate
formation of a seal therebetween.
16. The shade structure of claim 15 further comprising at least one
elongated, resilient blade extending substantially the length of
the draw bar on the undersurface thereof, the elongated side edge
of the blade being connected to the draw bar and the free elongated
edge of the blade extending toward the lower horizontal surface of
the framing portion of the window and contacting said horizontal
surface when the shade body is fully extended, thereby facilitating
formation of a seal therebetween.
17. The shade structure of claim 1 wherein the shade body is
comprised of two separate body portions, each body portion being
mounted along an outermost end to a respectively oppositely facing
framing portion of the window, the opposite free ends of the body
portions being extendable across the window to meet medially of the
window.
18. The shade structure of claim 1 wherein the sealing means
comprise along the upper horizontal edge surface of the shade body
a plate member hinged for pivoting movement to upper framing
portions of the window, the plate member having a sealing slat
formed on an inner face thereof, the slat extending toward the
shade body and being received within a horizontal edge surface of
the shade body, portions of the plate member being capable of
vertical displacement relative to the shade body to facilitate
seating of the sealing slat within the recess.
19. The shade structure of claim 1 further comprising means for
mounting the shade body over the window for movement along faces of
the walls bordering the window, the shade body being exposed
exteriorly of the window well.
20. A drawable shade structure for reducing heat flow through a
window or other thermal opening, comprising: a shade body drawable
over the window and being collapsible into a reduced storage volume
relative to the extended volume, the shade body comprising a
honeycomb-like structure defining a plurality of contiguous
channels disposed throughout the shade body, the honeycomb-like
structure being formed of regular aligned layers of thin, flexible
and resilient sheets, the sheets being interconnected by regularly
spaced adhesion lines which extend parallel to each other and
essentially parallel to the surface of the window, the adhesion
lines connecting adjacent sheets being spaced by a distance d on
oppositely facing surfaces of any two adjacent sheets, the opposite
surface of any one of the two adjacent sheets and the surface of
the next sheet adjacent thereto having adhesion lines spaced apart
by the distance d and being offset by a distance 0.5 d relative to
the adhesion lines between oppositely facing surfaces on the
first-mentioned adjacent sheets, the adhesion lines connecting a
given sheet to adjacent sheets on opposite surfaces thereof to
thereby alternate across the sheet from one surface to the other
opposite surface in a regular manner, the channels being defined
and formed by facing, uninterrupted surface portions defined on the
oppositely facing surfaces of any two adjacent sheets by adjacent
adhesion lines, said surface portions comprising walls of the
channels which collapse and expand on collapse or expansion of the
shade body such as occurs on movement of the shade body
respectively into a stored conformation or into an extended
conformation; both ends of each sheet being interconnected to the
ends of the adjoining sheets by said adhesion lines to form
parallel, outwardly directed projections which prevents the outer
walls of the shade from folding inwardly when the shade is
collapsed, and means for sealing edge portions of the shade body
against framing portions of the window to reduce convective air,
said sealing means comprising strip-like sealing slats of
substantially rigid material disposed on surfaces of the framing
portions of the window which oppose edge portions of the shade
body, the two opposite edge portions of the shade body each having
a slot-like recess formed therein for receiving end portions of
lateral surfaces of the slats thereinto, free edges of the sheets
which border and define the recesses being spaced from the lateral
surfaces of the sealing slats when the shade body is fully
collapsed, the free edges being in sealing contact with the lateral
surfaces of the slats on extension of the shade body, the contact
between the free edges of the honeycomb-like structure within the
recesses and the lateral surfaces of the slats forming an effective
convective seal.
21. The shade structure of claim 20 wherein the channels are
horizontally disposed within the shade body when in an operative
position, the recesses being formed in the vertical edge surfaces
of the shade body and the slats being disposed on the vertical
surfaces of the framing portions of the window.
22. The shade structure of claim 20 wherein the channels are
vertically disposed within the shade body when in an operative
position, the recesses being formed in the horizontal edge surfaces
of the shade body and the slats being disposed on horizontal
surfaces of the frame portions of the window.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to window coverings and, in
particular, to heat-insulative and thermally efficient window
coverings capable of reducing heat loss or gain through a window or
similar "thermal opening".
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Windows, transparent walls, and similar "thermal openings" in
buildings have long been known to be a major source of heat loss
from a building during cold periods and of heat gain during warm
periods. The heating and cooling of a building has thus been known
to require greater amounts of energy than would be necessary in the
absence of windows or other "thermal openings". To the end that
windows and the like can be configured to reduce such heat gains
and losses, double-layered glass and similar insulative structures
have been utilized. Further, it has come to be known that window
coverings, such as shades, blinds, and curtains, provide at least
some reduction in heat loss and/or heat gain relative to an
otherwise exposed window.
As an example of a window shade structure of increased thermal
efficiency relative to the substantially planar, relatively poor
insulative window shading structures long known in the art,
Luboshez, in U.S. Pat. No. 2,874,612, discloses a window shade
having sections angularly disposed relative to each other,
alternate sections being coated on at least one side with a
heat-reflective material. The Luboshez shade structure is only one
example of prior attempts to reduce heat gain, there having been
similar attempts to reduce heat loss from an environmental space.
The trapping of air between an essentially permanent, non-drawable
window covering and a window surface has also been previously
described in the art for reduction of heat flow through a window,
seals being previously provided between such coverings and the
frame holding the glass pane portion of the window to complete a
"dead air" space between the covering and the window.
Other patents of interest include British Pat. Nos. 11,493 and
756,270 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,827,218; 1,937,342; 1,942,989;
2,170,877; 2,477,582; 2,551,736; 3,055,419; 3,256,931; 3,294,151;
3,294,152; 3,443,860; 3,465,806; 3,887,739; 3,899,326; 3,946,789
and 4,019,554.
While some of the window shades or coverings which have heretofore
been proposed are capable, to some degree, of reducing heat loss or
heat gain through a thermal opening, they are not entirely
satisfactory particularly in reducing heat loss or gain by
"convection". It is a matter of common experience that in addition
to heat loss or heat gain through the window pane, considerable
heat is often lost or gained by convection through the sides of the
window frames. This convective heat loss or gain can frequently
represent a significant amount of the total heat or energy.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a shade
structure for reducing the total heat loss or heat gain through a
thermal opening, such as a window.
It is another object of this invention to provide a shade structure
of unique configuration and design comprising a plurality of
contiguous channels having "dead air" spaces, and a sealing
structure extending along the window frame uniquely cooperating
with the specially configured shade structure to insure against
heat loss or gain, including convective heat loss or heat gain
through the window.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a shade made of a
generally flexible and resilient material comprising a plurality of
contiguous channels of a generally honeycomb configuration having a
plurality of air-entrapping cells, designed to cooperate with the
sealing structure to minimize heat loss or gain, including
convective heat loss or heat gain through the window.
The foregoing and other objects of this invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description of the invention
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Shade structures comprised of a multiplicity of contiguous
air-entrapping channels or lumen, the invention provides window
coverings having a "depth" formed by the air-entrapping channels,
the channels forming a honeycomb appearance in axial cross section
in a preferred embodiment. The respective ends of the channels are
caused to be disposed adjacent to the frame of the window, seal
structure disposed between the opposing surfaces of the frame and
edges of the shade (and thus the ends of the channels) acting to
entrap air within at least certain of the channels and primarily
between the shade and the window, thereby to insulate an interior
environmental space against heat loss or heat gain through the
window. The channels of the shade are preferably formed by
construction of the shade from a plurality of initially parallel
layers of a relatively thin and flexible material, each layer being
joined to adjacent layers along narrow spaced parallel lines, these
lines of connection on opposite planar faces of each layer
alternating in spaced relation to each other. The "honeycomb"
structure thus formed provides a multiplicity of essentially
parallel hollow channels within the shade, the channels being
substantially equal in size. Effective "dead air" volumes thus
formed within the channels act to provide insulative capability to
the shade.
Sealing structure provided along vertical and/or horizontal edges
of the honeycomb shade acts to impede convective air flow and thus
reduce convective heat loss or heat gain through the window
frame.
Sealing structures for the horizontal channel embodiment of the
shade include vertical members extending from the plane of the
vertical window frame surfaces and being received within vertically
disposed grooves in the vertical edges of the shade body in order
to complete formation of a trapped air space between the window and
the shade. Edges of the shade defining the vertically disposed
grooves act to seal the shade when in the "drawn" position due to
contact between said edges and opposing surfaces of the vertical
members. The vertical members also serve as guide rails or tracks
for maintaining the shade in proper position when raising and
lowering the shade.
In the vertical channel embodiment of the invention, at least one
horizontal guide member disposed along the lowermost horizontal
side of the window frame extends from said frame to be received
within horizontal grooves formed in the lowermost horizontal edge
of the shade body. Edges of the grooves act as described above to
form a seal with opposing surfaces of the guide member. Similar
sealing structure is preferably disposed along the uppermost
horizontal side of the window frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a detail assembly view of one embodiment of a honeycomb
shade installation according to the invention in a drawn or
"closed" conformation prior to installation in a window frame and
having projecting guide members formed integrally with mounting
plates which fit against vertical window frame surfaces, the guide
members further serving to provide surfaces against which portions
of a seal can be formed to prevent convective heat flow about
vertical edges of the shade;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled shade of FIG. 1 in
the drawn or "closed" conformation;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the shade shown in FIG. 2 mounted
in a window frame, the shade being partially retracted;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the assembled honeycomb shade of
FIG. 2, but in a retracted or "open" conformation;
FIG. 5 is a plan view in section of the structure of FIG. 3 in a
"closed" position, material edges defining the vertical slots
within which the guide members respectively are received being
shown contacting the guide members to facilitate sealing and the
side edges of the shade body being shown to effectively contact the
mounting plates;
FIG. 6 is a detail side elevational view in section of the
structure of FIG. 2 shown in a drawn or "closed" conformation with
the mounting plate being cut-away, material edges defining the
vertical slot within which the guide member is received being seen
to "neck down" or to extend into contact with opposing surfaces of
the guide member to form an improved convective air seal along each
vertical side of the shade body;
FIG. 7 is a detailed perspective view illustrating the edges of the
vertical slots formed in the shade body and sealing structure
associated with the draw bar;
FIGS. 8a and 8b are elevational views in partial section of a
honeycomb shade having guide members disposed nearer the "room"
side of the shade, the guide members also acting as in other
embodiments to provide surfaces against which convective sealing is
accomplished through contact with vertical slots formed in the
shade body and within which slots the guide members are
respectively received;
FIG. 9a is an elevational view in section of a honeycomb shade
mounted in a window and illustrating the location and operation of
pull cords used to raise and lower the shade;
FIG. 9b is a detailed sectional view of a planar facing portion of
the structure of FIG. 9a;
FIG. 10 is an idealized perspective illustrating the manufacture of
the honeycomb shade body and particularly illustrating alternately
disposed adhesive "lines" which are laid on sheets comprising the
shade body;
FIGS. 11-13 are idealized elevational views in section illustrating
various embodiments of the honeycomb structures useful for forming
the shade body;
FIGS. 14a through 14e are diagrammatical sketches which illustrate
varying thicknesses of the shade body and the effect of varying
thickness on "R" value;
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a shade assembly having
vertically-oriented channels formed in opposed shade body portions
shown in a partially drawn conformation;
FIG. 16 is a plan view in section of the shade assembly of FIG. 15
in a fully drawn or "closed" conformation;
FIG. 17 is a front elevational view of the shade assembly of FIG.
15 in a fully drawn or "closed" conformation;
FIG. 18 is an elevational view in section of a shade assembly
similar to the embodiment of FIG. 15 and having a "floating" top
seal and lower guide member received within horizontal slots formed
in the body portions of the shade body, the edges of the slots
acting to contact opposing surfaces of the guide member to form a
convective air seal;
FIG. 19 is an elevational view in section of a shade assembly
similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 and having a top seal
comprised of honeycomb material;
FIG. 20 is a front elevational view of a shade assembly having
vertically disposed channels, the shade body being continuous;
FIG. 21 is an idealized perspective view with portions of structure
in diagrammatical form illustrating a condition responsive shade
lowering structure in a configuration whereby the shade pull cord
is released to allow the shade to be displaced downwardly over a
window due to gravity;
FIG. 22 is an idealized perspective view with portions of structure
in diagrammatical form illustrating the condition responsive shade
lowering structure of FIG. 25 in a configuration whereby the shade
pull cord is held to prevent lowering of the shade;
FIG. 23 is a detailed side elevational view in section illustrating
a reflective coating optionally disposable on surfaces of the shade
adjacent a window;
FIG. 24 is a detailed side elevational view in section illustrating
a coating on internal surfaces of the shade, the coating having low
emissivity in the far infrared region of the electromagnetic
spectrum;
FIG. 25 is a plan view in section of a shade mounting structure
wherein the shade body is mounted against wall surfaces adjacent a
window; and
FIG. 26 is a plan view in section of a further shade mounting
structure wherein the shade body is mounted against wall surfaces
adjacent a window.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF INVENTION
The invention in its general sense provides a drawable shade
comprising a shade body and associated structure cooperating with
portions of the shade body to prevent convective heat flow through
or about the periphery of the shade body. In effect, the associated
structure acts in concert with the portions of the shade body to
"seal" against convective heat flow. In principle, the "sealing"
referred to herein is in essence equivalent to "impeding"
convective air flow. The present shade structures also act to
substantially reduce radiant and conductive heat flow through a
window or "thermal opening" and thus act to reduce heat transfer by
all of the possible heat transfer mechanisms, a capability not
possessed by prior art drawable shade structures to the degree of
efficiency exhibited by the present structures.
In a less general sense, the present invention contemplates a
drawable shade capable of reducing convective heat loss as
described above, and wherein the body of the shade is formed of a
multiplicity of essentially parallel elongated channels which
"surround and contain" air, and which effectively create "dead air"
spaces, particularly insulative against both conductive and
convective heat flow. The associated structure disposed about the
"free " sides of the shade body which are not fixedly connected to
associated mounting structure. For example, a vertically
displaceable shade according to the invention is typically fixed to
mounting structure along the uppermost horizontal side of the shade
body and is effectively "sealed" along the "fixed" side by an
essentially permanent connection therealong. The remaining "free"
sides of the shade body must therefore be "sealed" against
convective flow by the associated structure referred to above, this
associated structure usually acting in concert with at least
portions of the shade body itself. The associated structure may
also provide other functions accessory to the operation of the
shade. Typically, the associated structure which assists in sealing
those sides of the shade body which lie in the direction of
extension of the shade differs from the structure which seals the
side of the shade body lying opposite the fixed side. The
associated structure assisting and/or providing the described
sealing function can take a variety of forms, as will be described
in detail hereinafter.
Particular embodiments of the invention include the formation of a
multi-channel shade body having a "honeycomb" structure as shown,
for example, in FIGS. 10-14. In these embodiments, the channels are
formed by thin sheet-like layers of material joined together along
spaced parallel lines by an adhesive material, these adhesion lines
being alternatingly disposed between adjacent layers of material on
opposite sides thereof.
Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-5, one
embodiment of the present shade assembly is seen at 10 for
installation within a standard window frame 12 in which is mounted
conventional glass panes 14 either permanently or for movement with
a window in a conventional manner. The shade assembly comprises a
shade body 16 having a multiplicity of regularly arranged
contiguous cell-like channels 18 extending throughout said body 16,
the longitudinal axes of the channels 18 extending horizontally
through the shade body in essentially parallel manner. The channels
18 serve to entrap or to at least temporarily hold air therewithin
to contribute to the insulation of the interior environmental space
from heat flow across the window or other thermal opening. Dead air
spaces are thus effectively formed within the channels 18.
Preferred structural conformations of the channels 18 will be
described hereinafter relative to FIGS. 10-14 inter alia.
The shade body 16 is drawable into a compact volume within storage
compartment 20 when in the stored or "open" conformation as shown
in FIG. 4. The shade body 16 can be drawn by means of a pull cord
arrangement such as described hereinafter relative to FIGS. 9a and
9b. Alternately, the shade body 16 can be manually raised and
lowered or can be displaced through the use of other conventional
draw structure. As can be noted through a comparison of FIGS. 2 and
4, the shade body occupies in the stored or "open" conformation, a
volume which is substantially reduced relative to the shade body
volume of the drawn or "closed" conformation. Thus, the shade body
16 is compactly stowed within a relatively insignificant volume
when not in use. The upper horizontal side of the shade body is
permanently mounted to a lower face of an interior, rectangular
plate member 22 in a conventional manner. The plate member 22 can
conveniently form a portion of the storage compartment 20. The
shade body 16 is thus effectively "sealed" against convective heat
flow along its upper horizontal side.
As is shown particularly in FIGS. 1-5, the shade assembly 10
comprises the shade body 16 and the storage compartment 20 which is
defined by header plate 17, upper plate 19 and rear plate 21, the
plates 17, 19 and 21 forming the U-shaped storage compartment 20
within which the plate member 22 is disposed. The upper horizontal
side of the shade body 16 could, of course, be mounted directly to
the underside of the upper plate 19. The plates 17, 19 and 21 are
formed of wood, plastic, metal or other suitable relatively rigid
material and cooperate with T-shaped side frames 23 and bottom
plate 24 to form a framework of the shade assembly 10 within which
the shade body is raised and lowered. In practice, the framework
formed of the plates 17, 19 and 21, the T-shaped side frames 23 and
the bottom plate 24 can be sized to fit directly into the window
frame 12 as is particularly seen in FIG. 3. The dimensions of the
framework can be custom sized (along with custom sizing of the
shade body 16) to fit a particular window or the entire shade
assembly can be mass produced to fit windows of standard sizes. In
either situation, the T-shaped side frames 23 are mounted flush
against the vertical side wall surfaces 25 of the window frame 12.
Outer surfaces 26 of the T-shaped side frames can be adhered to the
wall surfaces 25 or otherwise mounted thereto in order to prevent
air flow between the frames 23 and surfaces 25.
In a situation where the frames 23 are not directly attached to the
plates 17, 19 and 21 and/or to the bottom plate 24, a contact
adhesive and sealant or other adhesive material could be pre-coated
onto the outer surfaces 26 of the T-shaped side frames 23.
Mechanical fasteners could alternatively be employed to mount the
side frames 23 to the window frame 12. The bottom plate 24 can be
omitted entirely from the shade assembly 10, particularly in those
situations where the T-shaped side frames 23 and the plates 17, 19
and 21 are to be mounted separately in the window frame 12. In such
situations, lower horizontal surface 27 of the window frame 12 can
cooperate with draw bar 28 to form a lower horizontal seal, which
seal would, in the case where the bottom plate 24 is included in
the total framework, be provided by cooperation between the draw
bar 28 and the bottom plate 24.
When the shade assembly 10 is "drawn", the shade body 16 can be
"sealed" along the lower horizontal side thereof by contact with
the bottom plate 24 or with the surface 27 of the window frame 12
in the event that no bottom plate 24 is provided. When the surface
27 (on the upper surface of the bottom plate 24) is essentially
flat and thus allows even contact with the lower horizontal surface
of the draw bar 28, further sealing structure is not required along
the lower horizontal side of the shade body 16. However, as will be
described in more detail hereinafter, additional sealing structure
is preferably provided in order to create a more effective seal. As
a practical matter, window frames are not sufficiently "plumb" to
allow mere contact between the vertical and lower horizontal sides
of the shade body to provide sealing of the degree deemed
desirable. Some reduction in heat transfer would, of course, be
produced by such a structure. The draw bar 28 is simply attached to
the lower horizontal side of the shade body 16 as shown in FIGS. 2,
3, 4 and 7 with similar embodiments also shown in FIGS. 8 and
9.
The draw bar 28 adds weight to the lowermost side of the shade body
16 and thus assists in drawing the shade. The disposition of a
flat, substantially planar surface along the lowermost horizontal
surface of the draw bar 28 facilitates a sealing contact with
either the surface 27 or with the bottom plate 24, thereby to form
at least a minimal convective "seal" along the lower horizontal
side of the shade body 16. Although use of the draw bar 28 is
preferred, the bar 28 can be omitted and the lower horizontal edge
of the shade body can "seal" against the surface 27 or the bottom
plate 24. In either situation, the lower horizontal side of the
shade body 16 or the horizontal undersurface of the draw bar 28 can
be fitted with additional structure to facilitate formation of the
seal between the shade body 16 and the surface 27 on the bottom
plate 24.
As is seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, one or more elastometric "wiper"
blades 29 are disposed on the lower horizontal surface of the draw
bar 28 and extend downwardly. When the shade body 16 is fully
lowered, the blades 29 bias resiliently against the surface 27 on
the bottom plate 24 to facilitate sealing therebetween. The blades
29 are preferably arcuate in conformation and can extend laterally
at distal ends thereof to increase the compressive sealing
effect.
In the particular embodiment of FIGS. 1-7 and also in certain other
embodiments shown and described herein, convective sealing along
the vertical sides of shade body 16 can be accomplished through the
use of structure which can also act to guide the shade body in a
desired path when the shade is raised or lowered. As has been
previously noted, the T-shaped side frames 23 are attached to the
window frame 12 along vertical frame surfaces and essentially
extend the full vertical height of the window frame. The leg
portion of each T-shaped side frame 23 extends inwardly from side
plate portion 30 and forms a slat-like member generally
rectangular. This leg portion of each T-shaped side frame 23
assists in forming a convective seal along the respective vertical
sides of the shade body 16 and is thus referred to as sealing slat
32.
The sealing slats 32 can be formed integrally with the
corresponding side plate portion 30 of each T-shaped side frame 23.
Alternatively, sealing slats 32 alone can be mounted directly to
respective inner vertical walls of the window frame 12 and thus
extend inwardly of the window frame 12. In this and in certain
other embodiments of the invention, major portions of the sealing
slats 32 are received within elongated vertical slots 40 formed in
respective vertical sides of the shade body 16. The slots 40 extend
the full vertical sides of the shade body 16. The slots 40 extend
the full vertical height of the shade body 16 regardless of whether
the shade body is fully retracted or fully drawn out to cover the
window opening. In the fully retracted position, the slots 40 will
have a "length" which is much less than the "length" of the slots
when the shade is fully drawn, just as the shade body 16 is much
reduced in the vertical dimension when retracted. The slots 40 are
essentially cut from the vertical sides of the shade body 16 such
as by stamping when the material from which the shade body 16 is
formed is in its most compact configuration, the innermost
adjoining central channels 18 have substantially U-shaped cuts thus
formed therein, a shade body typically having portions of the
U-shaped cut formed in adjoining channels.
Although not shown, the faces 34 and 36 of the sealing slats 32 are
spaced from opposing side edges 44 and central edges 46 of the
slots 40 when the shade body 16 is "open" or fully retracted. In
particular, a small spacing between the side edges 44 of the slots
40 and the side faces 34 of the sealing slats 32 is preferred when
the shade body 16 is fully retracted in order for the shade body to
be capable of a more free movement along the sealing slats 32 as
the shade is drawn out to the "closed" position. While the shade
body 16 could be drawn from the fully retracted position of FIG. 4
even if contact between the side edges 44 and the side faces 36
occurred when in this position, substantial friction results from
such contact due to a "necking down" of the edges 44 as the shade
body is fully extended. This "necking down" and the particular
advantages obtained from this characteristic of the shade body 16
when formed of the honeycomb structure according to the invention
will be hereinafter described in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6.
The vertical sides of the shade body 16 and opposing inner vertical
surfaces 34 of the side frames 23 (or of the window frame 12) are
essentially flush and are in slightly "brushing" contact as the
shade body is raised and lowered. This contiguous fit provides an
impediment or "seal" against convective heat flow along the
vertical sides of the shade body, and thus can constitute a
"sealing" structure formed by the vertical sides of the shade body
itself when allowed to contact the vertical surfaces 34 of the side
frames 23. This brushing contact also acts to reduce and restrict
air flow through the channels 18, thereby to effectively "seal" the
interior of the channels from ambient and thus to create "dead air"
volumes within said channels. This "sealing" structure thus acts to
reduce air movement between that air space lying between the glass
panes 14 and the shade body 16 and the environmental space. The
"sealing" structure also acts to reduce air movement through the
channels 18. In effect, this "sealing" structure acts as a "seal"
against convective flow between the environmental space, that is, a
room in a dwelling or the like, and the insulating air space
effectively trapped between the panes 14 and the shade body 16.
The sealing slats 32 also serve a "guiding" function by providing
"track" structure along which the shade body 16 moves when the
shade assembly 10 is raised and lowered. However, the shade body 16
is effectively "guided" or maintained in a proper path by means of
pull cords 48 which can extend through inner portions of the slots
40 adjacent the distal faces 38 of the sealing slats 32, the pull
cords 48 connecting to the draw bar 28 at one end, extending
through the storage compartment 20 and exiting the header plate 17
through aperture 42 formed therein. The pull cords 48 act in
concert with conventional draw structure to raise and lower the
shade body 16.
In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, for example, the sealing slats 32
are received within the slots 40 and slots 49 disposed in either
end of the draw bar 28, and help to maintain the shade body 16 in a
desired position not only when the shade body is being raised and
lowered, but also when the shade body is in the fully retracted or
fully drawn configuration, and even when in between those
positions. As seen from a comparison of FIGS. 2 and 4, the sealing
slats 32 are fully covered when the shade body 16 is fully lowered
and are almost fully uncovered when the shade body is fully
raised.
While the sealing slats 32 serve a significant function as tracks
to maintain the shade body 16 on a desired path and to prevent a
"bowing out" of the shade body either when displaced or when
stationary, the sealing slats 32 in a preferred embodiment of the
invention primarily act in concert with the side edges 44 of slots
40 to produce a very effective convective "seal" along the vertical
sides of the shade body. As noted above, the contact between the
vertical sides of the shade body 16, that is, the ends of the
channels 18, and the vertical surfaces 34, provide a sealing
function. As it was previously mentioned, the side edges 44 of the
slots 40 are inwardly displaced (relative to the sealing slats 32)
as the shade body 16 is lowered into the closed or drawn position.
This inward displacement or "necking down" occurs as a result of
the vertical elongation of the channels 18 as the shade body 16 is
extended and occurs when the shade body is formed of a
honeycomb-like structure as is described for example in FIGS.
10-14. Even though the edges 44 are spaced from the opposing side
faces 36 of the sealing slats 32 when in the fully retracted
position of the shade body 16, as seen in FIG. 4, the edges 44 move
toward the faces 36 and eventually contact said faces 36 as the
shade body nears full extension, the relative contacting positions
of the edges 44 and the faces 36 being seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.
Since the sheet-like materials of which the shade is made is
flexible and resilient, the free edges 44 flex so that portions
thereof will lie relatively flat against the side face 36 of the
slat 32 to insure effective convective sealing.
The dimensions of the intial spacing between the edges 44 and the
faces 36 when the shade body is fully retracted determine the
degree of elongation of the shade body necessary to first result in
contact between the edges 44 and the faces 36. This initial spacing
can be dimensioned to allow contact between the edges 44 and the
faces 36 well prior to full lowering of the shade body 16, thereby
resulting in a more forceful contact between the edges 44 and the
faces 36 when the shade body 16 is then further lowered to the
extension necessary to fully draw or "close" the shade body over
the window. The convective seal thus formed is particularly
effective as is evidenced by the comparative experimental data
presented hereinafter.
While the embodiments of FIGS. 1-7 have been described with the
sealing slats 32 effectively disposed in positions centered
relative to the vertical sides of the shade body 16, it can be seen
in FIGS. 8a and 8b that sealing slats 49 essentially equivalent to
the sealing slats 32 can be disposed and are preferably disposed
nearer the "room" side of the shade body 50. That is, the sealing
slats 49 and slots 52 formed in vertical sides of the shade body 50
are located as great a distance from glass pane 56 as is possible
given the depth-wise number of channels 58 which form the shade
body 50. When the shade body 50 is more than three channels deep,
that is, three channels per horizontal layer of channels 58, then
the slots 52 can be more effectively offset on the vertical sides
of the shade body 50 toward the "room" side of the shade body. The
sealing slats 49 can be attached to vertical frame surfaces of the
window frame 60 nearer the room and further away from the glass
pane 56 or to T-shaped side frames which would correspond to the
frames 23 of FIGS. 1-7. In actual testing, a 5-channel shade body
having a nominal depth of 5 inches was fitted with centered sealing
slats such as the sealing slats 32 of FIGS. 1-7. The distance
between the convective seal thus formed by the sealing slats 32 and
the glass pane was 21/2 inches, the convective sealing function
including the contribution of the "necked down" edges 44 as
described above. The insulating effectiveness of this "centered
seal" structure was measured in terms of the window heat loss U in
BTU/ft.sup.2 /hr/.degree.F. and was determined to have a value of
0.34. An identical shade body except configured according to FIGS.
8a and 8b with the convective seal located 31/2 inches from the
glass pane, that is, nearer the room side of the shade body,
yielded a window heat loss U of 0.29, the difference being
attributable to the location of the sealing slats 49 nearer the
room side of the shade body. As alluded to above, these "offset"
sealing slats 49 and "offset" slots 52 are preferably configured to
utilize the "necking down" effect of side edges of the slots 52 as
fully described relative to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. The
increased insulative function cntributed by the offset location of
the convective seal thus formed is believed due to the isolation of
a greater number of channels 58 from the room ambient. The shade
structure is thus believed to be subject to less convective loss
from the room through the channels 58.
In the same series of tests from which the data given above was
taken, a shade body identical to the respective 5-channel shade
bodies 16 and 50 but without the additional sealing function
provided either by the sealing slats 32 or 49 had a window heat
loss U of 0.60 BTU/ft.sup.2 /hr/F. In this test, the convective
sealing function along the vertical sides of the shade body was
provided only by contact between the ends of the channels and the
vertical frame surfaces of the window frame. While this insulative
value is excellent compared to prior drawable shade structures, the
increased insulative capability imparted to the present shade
structures by the sealing slats 32 and 49 in concert with the edges
44 of the slots 40 and the edges of the slots 52 is readily
apparent.
FIGS. 8a and 8b also illustrate the use of a fabric-like pile or
"fleece" material 61 to facilitate formation of a convective seal
between draw bar 62 and lower horizontal window frame surfaces 64.
The material 61 contacts the surface 64 on lowering of the shade
body 50 and effects a seal between the draw bar 62 and the surface
64.
FIGS. 8a and 8b further illustrate the fact that the edges of the
slots 52 are displaced inwardly toward sealing slats 49 as the
shade body 50 is lowered from the fully "open" position of FIG. 8b
to the fully "drawn" position of FIG. 8a. As can be seen in FIG.
8b, the edges of the slots 52 are spaced from the sealing slat 49
when the shade body 50 is compressed. When the shade body 50 is
lowered, the edges of the slots 52 begin to move inwardly toward
the opposing surfaces of each of the sealing slats 49 to "neck
down" into contact therewith as described relative to the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-7. Actually, the entire width of the shade
body 50 compresses inwardly at medial portions of the shade body as
can be seen in FIG. 8a. In the position shown in FIG. 8b, the width
or "thickness" of the shade body 50 is essentially constant. In
FIG. 8a, the thickness of the shade body 50 is essentially equal
only at extreme upper and lower ends of the shade body, medial
portions having thicknesses which taper from each end of the shade
body to a minimum thickness medially of the shade body 50. The
tapering of the entire thicknesses of the shade body 50 results
from the same forces which cause the slots 52 to compress and thus
causes the edges of the slots 52 to "neck down" and seal on
opposing surfaces of the sealing slats 49. This characteristic also
occurs with the vertical channel embodiments shown in FIGS.
16-21.
As noted above, the vertical shade embodiments of the invention can
be raised and lowered through the use of a pull cord arrangement
such as is shown in FIGS. 9a and 9b. As seen in these figures, a
pull cord 66 such as is commonly used for "venetian" blinds and
other window coverings is employed with a conventional stop
mechanism (not shown). The pull cord 66 is seen to conveniently
form a loop externally of the shade structure, the two lengths of
the cord 66 extending into shade housing 68 through cord aperture
70. The two lengths of the cord 66 (only one visible and shown
internally of the housing 68 and the shade body) extend within the
shade housing 68 toward respective elongated vertical channels 72
through which said cord portions respectively extend downwardly to
connect with draw bar 74. The draw bar 74 can thus be drawn
upwardly by pulling on the cord 66, the weight of the draw bar
further assisting in lowering the shade. The draw bar 74 can
conveniently be provided along the undersurface thereof with a
material to facilitate sealing against horizontal surfaces of the
window frame within which the shade assembly is mounted. However,
due to the weight of the draw bar 74 and the nature of the
honeycomb material, a convective seal of a more limited
effectiveness can be formed by mere contact between the lower
surface of the draw bar 74 and lower horizontal window frame
surfaces 76. In the embodiment of FIGS. 9a and 9b, it is to be
noted that the pull cords 66 do not extend through slots 75 in
vertical sides of the shade body within which sealing slats 77 are
received. It is again noted that the pull cords 66 serve a guiding
function to maintain the shade body in a desired path.
The preferred structure of a shade body such as the shade body 16
takes the form of a "honeycomb" as shown generally at 78 in FIGS.
10-14. FIG. 10 particularly illustrates the manner in which the
honeycomb structure 78 is formed. The honeycomb 78 is seen to be
formed from a plurality of thin sheets 80 which are generally
rectangular and of the same dimensions. The sheets 80 are
preferably formed of a flexible, resilient material such as
nonwoven textiles, treated paper or plastic films which resist
actinic degradation. Cellulosic and polyester fibrous materials and
glass fibers are suitable. Acrylic, PVC, PVA and the like binder
materials which are not moisture sensitive are also preferred. The
fibers can comprise acrylic, polyester, and even wood fibers, and a
combination of a hydrophobic binder and fiber acting to produce a
sheet 80 which will withstand repeated wetting, long exposure to
sunlight and other elements without significant degradation or loss
of strength and structural integrity. Nonwoven material of
polyester fibers constitutes the most preferred material.
The use of polyester fibers in the nonwoven sheets 80 allows heat
setting so that a return to an original conformation would be
enhanced, thereby facilitating retraction into a compact volume and
promoting a neat appearance, even after extensive periods of use.
Thicknesses of these materials which are the equivalent of 12-14
pound paper tissue are adequate, the sheets typically weighing
between 1 to 2 ounces per square yard. Although more expensive,
woven and knitted textiles could also be used as well as a variety
of paper materials.
The sheets 80 in FIG. 10 are layered in superposed relationship to
form a "blanket" which can be cut and trimmed to a desired size as
necessary. The sheets 80 are mutually joined together along
adhesion lines 82 which, in the shade body having horizontally
disposed channels 18, extend parallel to the width-wise dimension
of the shade assembly 10, that is, parallel to the plane in which
the shade body lies. The adhesion lines 82 simply comprise
relatively narrow parallel lines or an adhesive material which are
laid out on upper (or lower) surfaces of each of the sheets 80. The
uppermost sheet 80a need not have any of the adhesion lines. As
shown in FIG. 10 as well as in FIGS. 11-14, the pattern of the
straight parallel adhesion lines 82 on any given sheet 80 is offset
by one-half of the distance d between any two adjacent lines 82
formed on one of the sheets 80. Any given sheet 80 is thus bonded
to adjacent sheets 80 along lines which alternate in an
interdigitating fashion. In other words, a bond formed along one of
the adhesion lines 82 to the adjacent sheet 80 disposed on a
"lower" side of the given sheet 80 is disposed halfway between two
bonds formed along two adjacent adhesion lines 82 disposed on the
"upper" side of the given sheet 80. Since the distance between two
adjacent lines 82 is taken to be d, then the bonds along the
adhesion lines 82 on opposite sides of any given sheet 80 are
offset in registry by 0.5 d. Each sheet 80 is thus joined or bonded
to adjacent sheets 80 along the adhesion lines 82 with the lines 82
on opposite planar faces of each sheet 80 alternating in spaced
relation to each other. The "honeycomb" structure 78 thus formed
defines contiguous cell-like channels 18 which, when seen in cross
section such as in FIGS. 11-14, resemble a multi-sided honeycomb.
As indicated previously, the honeycomb channels 18 extend either
horizontally or vertically through the body of the shade to entrap
or at least temporarily hold air therewithin to insulate an
environmental space from heat flow across a window or other
"thermal opening".
The cross sections of the channels 18 vary according to the
distance d between two adjacent adhesion lines 82 disposed on a
given surface of one of the sheets 80. This distance d is
preferably constant throughout a given shade body. The channels 18
are thus seen to be preferably comprised of thin sheet-like layers
of material joined together along spaced parallel adhesion lines 82
by an adhesive material, the adhesion lines 82 being alternatingly
disposed between adjacent layers of material on opposite sides
thereof in an assembled configuration.
The outer ends of the sheets 80 are joined by edge adhesion lines
82e to form parallel and outwardly directed projections of the
shade body. These projections prevent the outer walls of the
honeycomb from folding inwardly (toward each other) when the shade
is contracted. This particular structure and configuration of the
honeycomb and the adhesion lines along the outer edges have
advantages which are referred to throughout this description.
The adhesion lines 82 can be applied to both surfaces of a given
sheet 80. In such a situation, the adjacent sheets 80 on both sides
of the given sheet 80 need not have lines 82 applied thereto since
the adhesive material applied to the given sheet 80 will bond each
of said sheets to the adjacent sheet. In other words, only every
other sheet 80 in the interior of the honeycomb 78 need have
adhesion lines 82 applied thereto if said lines are applied to both
surfaces of every other sheet.
Regardless of the method employed to fabricate the honeycomb 78,
the structure of the multi-sided channels 18 prevent walls 84 of
the channels from collapsing when in the extended configuration and
thus touching each other, the insulating efficiency of the shade
assembly being greatly reduced in the event of collapse of and
resulting contact between the walls 84 of the channels 18. Although
the walls 84 of the channels 18 do not contact each other when the
shade body is extended, the channels 18 readily collapse when the
shade body is retracted to allow the shade assembly 10 to occupy a
substantially reduced volume when in the "stored" configuration as
shown herein. Thus, the collapsible honeycomb structure 78 allows
fabrication of a shade body comprised of a plurality of channels 18
which are closed when the shade assembly is in a retracted position
and which are open and self-supporting when the shade body is drawn
over a window or the like. In the closed or retracted position, the
shade body occupies only a small space. In the drawn conformation,
the shade body occupies a large volume and provides an unexpectedly
high degree of insulation.
FIGS. 11-14d, illustrate certain specific configurations of the
channels 18. In these figures, the cross-sectional shapes of the
channels 18 can vary from regular hexagons to squares, FIG. 12
particularly illustrating hexagonal channels 85 formed by a laying
out of relatively wide adhesion lines 86. Those channels 18 which
have essentially equal wall dimensions (diamond-shaped or square in
cross-sectional conformation) are so formed by the relatively
narrow adhesion lines 82 as seen particularly in FIG. 11. The
cross-sectional area of the channels 18 are thus seen to vary
according to the width of the adhesion lines 82 or 86.
A typical value for the distance d is one inch, a shade body 16 so
formed and being three channels 18 "deep" (such as is seen in FIG.
11) having a U of 0.31 BTU/F./hr/ft.sup.2 with sealing as described
as above relative to FIGS. 1-7. A 5-channel shade body has a
typical U of 0.24 BTU/F./hr/ft.sup.2. A 3-channel shade body such
as is seen in FIG. 11 requires the laying down of 8 adhesion lines
82 in order to form the three-deep channel structure. It should be
noted that the thickness of the sheets 80 are exaggerated in FIGS.
11-12 in order that the separate sheets 80 can be distinguished
from each other and also to allow the adhesive material to be
distinguishable as essentially comprising the adhesion lines 82 and
86.
In FIG. 13, a honeycomb structure 88 is formed integrally such as
by extrusion through a die. The integral nature of the material 88
eliminates the adhesion lines referred to above. However, the
material 88 maintains the capabilities of the material 78 of FIGS.
11-12 since integral joints 89 function similarly to the adhered
sheets 80.
As is apparent from the foregoing description, each of the thin
sheets 80 lie in or about both sides of planes which are
respectively substantially horizontal, that is, the planes in which
the sheets 80 lie are perpendicular to the vertical glass panes 14
when "closed". When a shade body such as the shade body 16 is fully
drawn, the sheets 80 lie "about" the same horizontal plane, no
portion of the sheet 80 being folded to an angle greater than or
even equal to 90 and, as a practical matter, no more than
approximately 75. Since the shade body will undergo a large number
of "fold cycles" within its useful lifetime, it is of great
importance that the sheets 80 need not be folded to a degree which
would form a "crease", that is, to a degree greater than or equal
to 90. The sheets 80 thus avoid material failure due to repeated
folding, such failure being increased by the effects of exposure to
sunlight, moisture and the like.
The preferred choice of the honeycomb structure 78 for formation of
a shade body according to the invention particularly results in a
structure wherein the material forming the shade does not undergo
sharp folding, the resulting reduction in material fatigue being
one unobvious advantage of these particular embodiments of the
invention.
A further advantage of the use of the honeycomb structure 78
according to the invention also results from the lack of need for
the sheets 80 to fold severely about the adhesion lines 82 or 86.
Since the angle of the fold about said lines 82 (or 86) is less
than 90, the walls 84 of the channels 18 cannot "bow" outwardly and
prevent the shade body from being retracted properly. This
structural characteristic also causes the surfaces of the shade
body which are exposed to view to retain a neat and decorative
appearance. Due to the use of the honeycomb structure 78, no need
exists for external guides or supporting structure to insure proper
expansion and contraction of the shade body without danger of
fold-over of the channels 18. Since the honeycomb 78 is fabricated
by applying the adhesion lines 82 to the surface of each sheet 80
upon which the next sheet 80 will be laid and thus bonded on
contacting the adhesive material forming said adhesion lines, the
sheets 80 are not even folded during manufacture.
As is also shown in FIG. 11, edge adhesion lines 82e further impart
a stability to the shade body which prevents folding of the
material forming the sheets 80. The edge adhesion lines 82e cause
the shade body 16 to have entirely different raising and lowering
characteristics than would be the case if, for example, outermost
walls of the channels 18 were formed of a single, continuous length
of material. In particular, the edge adhesion lines 82e prevent
undue folding of the sheets 80 by not allowing the weight of the
shade body 16 to pull the channels 18 into a cross-sectional shape
which would resemble a thin, vertically elongated "oval" or
generally rectangular shape. From a relative standpoint, the
outermost channels 18 on both sides of the present shade body have
two outermost walls 84e which are bonded together along the edge
adhesion lines 82e, thereby eliminating the strength degradation
which would occur on repeated folding and flexing about angles
equal to or greater than 90 and also eliminates the degradation
which occurs when a repeatedly stretched material is exposed to
sunlight.
The edge adhesion lines 82e of FIG. 11 and 86e of FIG. 12
essentially couple together short substantially horizontally
disposed opposed material edges from adjacent sheets 80, these
edges comprising a joint 82 which also comprises the respective
edge adhesion lines 82e or 86e. In FIG. 13, the joint 83 is
essentially integral. These joints 83, in concert and due
effectively to the edge adhesion lines 82e and 86e in the
respective embodiments of FIGS. 11 and 12, forces the outer walls
of the channels to constantly extend outwardly and to not be folded
"back" into the shade body on raising or lowering of the shade
body. Although the joint 83 of FIG. 13 is not provided per se with
an edge adhesion line, the integral joint 83 serves this same
purpose and prevents the outer walls from "going flat".
The honeycomb structure has other particular advantages. In
particular, the honeycomb configuration imparts structural rigidity
to the shade body which further improves certain other capabilities
of the shade structures. This rigidity assists in maintaining the
channels in an "open" conformation, i.e., preventing the walls of
the channels from collapsing and thus losing insulative ability.
Further, the rigidity of the total shade body structure causes the
vertical sides of the shade body to remain in contact with the
convective air seals, thereby further preventing the possible loss
of insulating capability.
A comparison of FIGS. 14a through 14e exemplifies the differing
configurations of the channels 18 which can be formed. In FIGS.
14-14d, the conformations of shade bodies have a varying number of
channels 18 according to the "length " of the sheets 80 and the
number of adhesion lines 82 formed on the sheets. In FIG. 14a, a
1--1 channel structure is shown, the numerical designation
indicating that one channel is counted across the shade body
regardless of which adhesion line 82 is chosen to begin the
counting. In this embodiment of the honeycomb structure, four
adhesion lines 82 would be formed on a given sheet 80, certain of
these lines 82 also being edge adhesion lines 82e. The honeycomb
structure of FIG. 14a is thus seen to be the least "thick"
embodiment of the honeycomb structures and, as seen in FIG. 14e,
the least insulative.
FIG. 14b illustrates a 2-1 channel embodiment, there being two
channels 18 counted when beginning at each edge adhesion line 82e
and one channel 18 in the "layer" of channels between each of the
"two channel" layers. Similarly, FIGS. 41c and 14d illustrate 2--2
channel and 3-2 channel embodiments of the present honeycomb
material. It can readily be seen that 3-3, 4-3 and other
embodiments can be formed as desired. Further considering FIG. 14e,
the "R" values associated with various channel counts (with all
other factors being equal) are seen to vary according to the curve
shown. In essence, the greater the number of channels, the higher
the "R" value and the greater the insulative capability of the
shade body so formed. It must be noted, however, that increasing
the channel count beyond 3--3 results in a correspondingly lower
increase in insulative capability.
Referring for illustration to FIG. 14c, the honeycomb structure 78
is seen to exhibit a "primary material direction" for each sheet 80
as indicated by the dashed line. The material is then seen to be
deformed into relatively gentle undulations during a "work cycle"
involving expansion and compression of the channels 18. Thus, the
material is readily seen to avoid substantial flexural stress which
could lead to failure of the material at the bonds between adjacent
sheets 80, that is, at the adhesion lines 82.
Referring now to FIGS. 15-20, an embodiment of the invention having
vertically oriented channels 120 is shown. The channels 120 are
formed from thin sheets 122 of a preferably nonwoven material such
as is described herein relative to the sheets 80. The sheets 122
are bonded together along adhesion lines 124 in a manner
essentially identical to the formation of the honeycomb structure
78. In essence, the honeycomb structure 78 previously described is
simply oriented with the longitudinal axes of the channels disposed
vertically in the embodiments of FIGS. 15-20. Shade assembly 126 of
FIGS. 15-17 is particularly seen to comprise two separate body
portions 128 and 130, each portion 128 or 130 being attached along
respective outer vertical edges 132 to facing vertical frame
surfaces 134 of a window frame 136 within which the shade assembly
126 is mounted. Leading edges 138 of the body portions 128 and 130
are pulled together medially of the window frame 136 and latched
together as seen in FIG. 17 by means of conventional latch
structure 140 mounted on end plates 142 to which the leading edges
138 are respectively connected. A sealing material 143 can be
disposed on at least one of the end plates 142 so that a better
seal is formed therealong when said plates 142 are brought into
contact. A strip of foam rubber, sponge, fleece or the like can
comprise the sealing material 143 in a compressed position between
the end plates 142. As is readily seen in the figures, the vertical
channels 120 of the body portions 128 and 130 expand or contract on
closing or opening of the shade assembly 126 to provide insulation
over the opening defined by the window frame 136.
As can be seen in FIG. 15, sealing slats 150 are respectively
disposed along upper and lower horizontal frame members 152 and
154, the guide members 150 being preferably rectangular in cross
section and fitting into horizontally disposed slots (not shown in
FIG. 15) formed in the respective body portions 128 and 130 along
lower horizontal side surfaces thereof. The slots essentially
correspond to the slots 40 of the shade body 16 of FIGS. 1-7 and
act with the sealing slats 150 to maintain the shade body portions
128 and 130 on a definite path while being drawn or retracted.
Further, the sealing slats 150 and the slots formed in the body
portion 128 and 130 act in a manner similar to the cooperation of
the slots 40 and sealing slats 32 described above to form a
convective seal along the horizontal edge portions of the body
portions 128 and 130. The end plates 142 also have aligned slots
156 formed at the ends thereof to receive the sealing slats 150
therein. In essence, the structural features and attendant
advantages described above relative to the shade assembly 10 apply
to the shade assembly 126.
FIG. 18 illustrates the use of an upper "floating" top seal member
at 160 which acts both to guide a shade body 162 formed either of
separate body portions or of a single body in the manner of a track
in concert with a lower sealing slat 164 and to assist in formation
of a convective seal along upper horizontal edges of a shade
assembly. The seal member 160 is substantially T-shaped in section
and extends essentially along the full upper edge of a window frame
166. One upper leg 168 of the member 160 is mounted to hanger
member 170 by means of a hinge 172, the hanger member 170 being
fixedly connected to upper horizontal edge 172 of the window frame
166. The member 160 can thus pivot or "float" relative to the shade
body 162, in order to more positively maintain "tongue" 174
(sealing slat) of the member 160 within slots 176 formed in upper
horizontal side surface 178 of said shade body 162. The slots 176
and the tongue 174 act to provide a convective seal in a manner
substantially identical to the seal formed by the slots 40 and the
sealing slats 32 described above. The top seal member 160 thus acts
to guide the shade body 162 and to seal an air space between the
shade body 162 and window pane 180, a stationary sealing slot 182
and the slots 176 on the lower horizontal edges of the shade body
162 acting as aforesaid to guide and seal the shade assembly along
the lower horizontal edges thereof. Although not shown, a simple
"floating" seal could be formed by the disposition of a layer of
fabric or the like attached to the hanger member 170 along
horizontal edges thereof and allowed to extend into contact with
upper horizontal edges of the shade body.
Referring to FIG. 19, a top seal is formed in an otherwise
identical embodiment of the invention by a T-shaped floating top
seal member 190 which cooperates with slots 192 formed in body
portions of the shade assembly. In this embodiment, the top seal
member 190 is held in position and is biased into guiding and
sealing contact with body portions of the shade assembly by means
of a segment of honeycomb material 194 which exerts a spring-like
force on the seal member 190 and thus acts to maintain said seal
member 190 in place. The honeycomb structure 194 is formed as is
described hereinabove and has longitudinal axes of channels 196
disposed horizontally. The segment of the honeycomb structure 194
typically extends the full width of the window frame and is
connected along its upper surface 198 to the window frame itself or
to upper plate 199 and is connected along its lower surface 200
directly to upper surfaces of the top seal member 190.
FIG. 20 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention wherein
shade body 202 has vertically oriented channels 204 formed of a
single piece of a honeycomb structure rather than of two portions
such as the body portions 128 and 130 of the shade assembly 126 of
FIG. 15. It can be readily realized given the description of the
embodiments of FIGS. 15-19, that shade body 202 can be guided and
sealed in an identical manner, free edge 206 being latched directly
to the facing vertical surface of the window frame and sealed
thereto by a strip 208 of compressible material in a manner similar
to the sealing together of the end plates 142 described above.
Shade body 202, as well as the shade assembly 126 described above,
can be provided with stationary sealing slats (not shown) which
function in a manner substantially identical to the sealing slats
150 as described previously. A floating seal member could
alternatively be provided.
Referring now to FIGS. 21 and 22, a shade assembly is seen to be
provided with structure for lowering the shade body in response to
a given condition such as the time of day, light, temperature or
the like. A condition sensor 230, such as a timer, activates a
solenoid 232 having a cam arm 234 formed therein and being
displaceable with the solenoid 232. A cord-holding pawl 236, such
is commonly used for blinds and similar structures, holds a pull
cord 238 to maintain the shade body in the raised configuration. On
activation of the solenoid 232 by the condition sensor 230, the cam
arm 234 engages the pawl 236 and releases the pull cord, the weight
of the shade body, particularly when attached to a draw bar,
causing the shade body to lower to a "closed" configuration. Thus,
the shade body can be manually raised in the morning of a winter
day to admit energy through the window, the shade body being
automatically lowered as aforesaid at a given time in response to
the advent of darkness to reduce heat outflow through the window at
night. It is of course apparent that the shade body could be also
raised in response to a sensed or timed condition.
As seen in FIG. 23, the surfaces of those portions of sheets such
as the sheets 80 which form the honeycomb structure 78 of FIGS.
10-12, and which face the window can be coated with a layer 250 of
material having high reflectivity in the ultraviolet and visible
portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. A layer of white paint,
for example, would provide such capability. The layer 250 acts as
an effective reflector of solar radiation during summer months. The
reflectance of the layer 250 and the insulative capability of the
channels 18 combine to reduce solar-induced heat gain, thereby
reducing air conditioning costs during warm weather. The channels
18 can be caused to contain a lightweight fibrous material 252,
such as cotton or synthetic elongated strands of glass-like fibers,
the material 252 providing increased insulative capability. The
material 252 acts to obstruct air flow within the channels 18,
random disposition of the material 252 within the channels also
acting to form a multiplicity of air-entrapping cells within the
channels 18. As seen in FIG. 24, the insulating efficiency of
channels 18 can be improved by providing a thin layer 254 on the
inner surfaces of the channels, the layer 254 being comprised of a
material having a low emissivity in the far infrared region of the
electromagnetic spectrum. Metals such as aluminum are particularly
useful for this purpose. U.S. Pat. No. 3,130,112, issued to the
present inventor, describes materials suitable for forming such
layer 254 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Prior embodiments of the invention have essentially been described
as being disposable within that recess in an interior wall of a
building which is usually referred to as a window "well" and which
is bordered by a window frame. Windows or similar thermal openings
can also be fitted with embodiments of the invention which are
disposed along the interior wall of the building and "outside" of
the window well as is shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. Thus, in FIG. 25, a
shade body 260 is seen to have a "width" which is greater than the
width of window frame 262. The shade body 260 is seen to comprise
horizontal channels 264 and to be sealed effectively against walls
266 of the building by sealing members 268 which are strip-like
sealing slats and which can also serve a guiding function. The
sealing members 268 are T-shaped in section and each comprise a
back plate 270 which is mounted flushly against wall 266, a leg
portion 272 extending perpendicularly from the back plate 270 and
terminating in a bulbous portion 274. The leg portion 272 and
bulb-like portion 274 are received within correspondingly shaped
slots 276 formed in the shade body 260. The edges of the material
forming the shade body 260 which oppose the leg portion 272 and
bulb-like portion 274 also "neck down" to create a more effective
seal in the same manner as is described above relative to FIGS. 1-7
and as also occurs relative to the vertical channel embodiments of
the invention. The sealing members 268 thus provide a sealing
function and also prevent, due particularly to the bulb-like
portion 274, displacement of the shade body 260 outwardly of the
window frame 266.
Referring now to FIG. 26, a similar structure is seen to be mounted
along walls 280 of a window frame 282, shade body 284 being
effectively mounted within side sealing and framing member 286. The
members 286 are E-shaped in section, body plate 288 and sealing
slat plate 290 essentially serving the same functions as the
T-shaped side frames 23 of FIGS. 1-7, sealing, including the
necking down of the honeycomb structure of the shade body 284,
occurring with slots 292 formed in the vertical edge face of the
shade body 284. Interior and exterior end plates 294 and 296 act
respectively to mount the members 286 to the walls 280 and to
maintain the shade body 284 in a desired location relative to the
walls 280.
In the embodiments of FIGS. 25 and 26, structure similar to that
shown in FIGS. 1-7 would be used at the upper horizontal sides of
the shade bodies 260 and 284 for storage and the like while sealing
of lower horizontal of the respective shade bodies can be
accomplished merely by pulling the shade bodies below the lower
level of the window frames or by providing other sealing structure
which can be similar to the compressible materials described
herein.
The advantage of the present invention can clearly be seen when it
is realized that the winter heat loss through windows in typical
private residences is approximately 18% for an uninsulated home and
32% for an insulated home when solar intake is not considered.
Commercial buildings have a greater range of variation with
predominantly glass exterior buildings having a heat loss through
windows which can equal 60% to 70% of total heating costs. While
presently available window shading devices can provide some
reduction in heat loss which vary from 7% with conventional
Venetian blinds and draperies to 40% with metallized, inside
casement roller shades, they do not provide shading devices which
can be sufficiently effective to provide truly significant
reduction in heat loss through windows. The present structures have
the demonstrated capability of reducing heat flow through windows
by from about 65% to about 80%.
Independent testing performed by the Electrical Testing
Laboratories, Inc. of Cortland, N.Y., provided the following
results:
TEST DESCRIPTION
The Thermal Transmittance (U-Value) of the honeycomb shade of this
invention was determined by employing ETL designed calorimeter
(Guarded Hot Box) in general accordance with ASTM Standard C 236 on
a window 3 feet by 4 feet fixed light of 3/6" clear glass.
______________________________________ Results of Thermal
Transmittance Tests Control Uncovered Honeycomb Window Shade
______________________________________ Temperatures, .degree.F.
Indoor ambient-air 68.2 68.6 Outdoor ambient-air 18.3 18.0 Interior
Glass Surface 29.6 20.1 Heat input, BTU/hr 635 174 Calorimeter Heat
Loss Correction, BTU/hr 0 -3 Test Buck Heat Loss Correction, BTU/hr
23 24 Net Heat Input, BTU/hr 612 147 Nominal Area of Sample,
ft.sup.2 12.0 12.0 Air Temperature Difference from Warm Side to
Cold Side, .degree.F. 49.9 50.6 HEAT-TRANSFER COEFFICIENTS* Overall
U, BTU/hr-ft.sup.2 deg. F 1.02 0.24 Overall R. Hr-ft.sup.2 deg.
F/BTU 0.98 4.13 Summary of Results Less Heat Lost** -- 76.5 More
Heat Retained*** -- 325.0 ______________________________________
*Heat transmitted through material measured from warm air to cold
air; this is not the same Thermal Conductance "C: which is measured
from warm surface to cold surface. **Control used as base.
***Honeycomb shade used as base.
The honeycomb shade utilized in the test was a 6-channel, 1" mesh
honeycomb configured and sealed as described in FIGS. 1-7. This
shade structure configured according to the invention reduced the
heat loss relative to an uncovered window by 76.5% as indicated in
the test results. When considering the above data in terms of the R
value of the tested shade, i.e., the resistance to heat flow,
further test showed that, when compared to an R value of 1.17 for a
conventional shade, the honeycomb shade had an R value of 4.13. The
present shade structure was therefore 3.5 times more effective in
reducing heat loss than a conventional shade.
Further testing conducted in an actual use situation was conducted
by comparing the energy used for heating in two sets of two rooms
essentially identical in a motel, two of the rooms having the shade
of FIGS. 1-7 installed on all windows while the other two rooms
were without the shade. The rooms were all electrically heated,
were north facing, and were rented and occupied equally during the
test. The results of the test is given in two phases as
follows:
______________________________________ PHASE 1 Winter February 2 to
May 5 93 days ______________________________________ Average KWH
use per room with shade 442 Average KWH use per room without shade
832 ______________________________________
Difference--390 KWH less in the room with the shade
KWH AND DOLLAR SAVINGS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS (Projected)
For Heating Season 963 KWH saved per window
For Cooling Season 247 KWH saved per window
______________________________________ KWH .times. $/KWH = Savings
______________________________________ 963 .times. 0.0534 = $51.42
247 .times. 0.0887 = $21.91 $73.33 savings per window per year
______________________________________
The window area in the room evaluated are 2.9 square yards.
Therefore, the savings per square yeard of window area would be
$25.29. Calculated projections are based upon a 6,000 degree day
winter and a 60 day summer requiring air conditioning.
While the invention has been specifically described relative to
several preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that
some changes and modifications can be made therein without
departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *